Hamilton Cheifetz has been described in Fanfare Magazine as "unquestionably a magnificent player" for his solo recordings, and he has performed throughout North America and in Europe, Asia, and Australia. A native of Chicago, Cheifetz began playing cello when he was seven and first appeared as soloist with orchestra at the age of eleven. He studied with Janos Starker at Indiana University and later became the teaching assistant to Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi at the University of Western Ontario. The winner of the Piatigorsky Prize at Tanglewood, he toured the United States and Canada on the Music from Marlboro concert series and performed at the White House for President Carter and the members of Congress.

Mr. Cheifetz performed solo recitals and gave master classes in China in the spring of 2010 in Beijing and Tianjin. He has presented master classes in Korea and taught as Guest Lecturer at Indiana University. He is also a member of the Third Angle New Music Ensemble and has recorded for Koch, Delos, New World, and Gagliano Recordings. He is featured on "Sound of the Five", chamber music of Chen Yi, released in 2009.

Mr. Cheifetz has appeared as guest artist with many orchestras including the symphonies of Toronto, Oregon, and Milwaukee, and he toured nationally with the Paul Winter Consort. He presented a solo recital in the Sydney Opera House and has often been featured on National Public Radio's "Performance Today." His playing was highlighted, together with jazz great Dave Frishberg and vocalist Rebecca Kilgore, on the CBS television special "Gary Larson's Tales From the Far Side." In 2001, he performed duos in concert with Janos Starker which were broadcast nationally on NPR, and he appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York.

Hamilton Cheifetz is professor of music at Portland State University and a founding member of the Florestan Trio, which is celebrating its 34th season this year. Together with pianist Janet Guggenheim and violinist Carol Sindell, the Florestan Trio has received international acclaim, including three concert tours of Japan and concerts in Europe. Mr. Cheifetz is also a featured artist at Chamber Music Northwest and other festivals including Bargemusic in New York and the Oregon Bach Festival. He is also Principal Cellist of the Oregon Ballet Orchestra.

A dedicated teacher, some of Professor Cheifetz's students have gone on to positions in orchestras such as the Boston Symphony and Atlanta Symphony.